Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-29

strong, bread and better growth q
result Of it. Most, il not all, the associations
have given up their pet theories and have
come down to personal, practical. definite,
and hard work for men, and men only.
1t used to be the general practice OF asso-
Citations in this state for few Christian
young men to get together for gospel meet
ing, as they called it, and think it was so
in name only, for there was not sinner
around to tell the gospel to. Now these good
fellows would get together without being
seen by outsiders, If possibie) and one OF
| them would hand out some little scraps OF
Of paper with references On them and they
would sing and read and pray and thank the
good lord that they did not live in the days
of persecution, etc. Then thsy would get so
happy over what they had missed, and after
all of this not a soul saved nor such thing
| thought Of, and in fact if there had been,
| they would have been wonderfully surprised.
Now one Of these places was over here in the
southeastern part Of the state, and
there was q district conference held there
some time ago, the first In the state. And
| after the conference they went right out into
the streets with invitations, and urged the
unsaved to come in and it was not long until
young men were converted and real Joy and
boldness in the Lord was given to that asso-
citation.
Inow wish TO say that these results do not
come about by simply having 1t announced
that there will be conference held at such
and such a place, but it must be wisely
planned, thoroughly taking into consIdera-
| ton, first, the field that would be most bene-
fitted by the conference; second, the loca-
ton, and third, topics to be discussed. This,
of course. is what makes the conference
profitable Great care should be taken to
select subjects for discussion that are best
adapted to the district in which it Is held
for instance, one district may be behind in
| Bible study and personal work, and that
should be made the prominent feature OF the
conference Another district may be unable
to secure the attention Of the young men or
the sympathy Of the pastors and older Chris
tians, or at least not TO that degree
desirable This should be made promi-
nent in the discussions. And again,
SEINE districts may not have the proper ap-
probation OF the state committee end there
| fore do not support it as cheerfully as they
should. Its claims should be made promi-
nent, but the choosing of topics, location.
etc does not make it a success. There must
BIT definite aim to be accomplished, and
much sincerity, earnest prayer and hard
work. Those in charge Of it should be noted
for their stick-to-it-iveness. A local confer
ence differs from district conference IN
that the local association gets it up for It's
own special benefit and it is not managed by
/ the district officials. A conference should
generally end with q large union meeting
of all the churches Sunday night in the larg-
est hall or church obtainable. Addresses
should be giyeu on the need Of young men
and all the points possible should be brought
out at that meeting as it is not often we have
such an opportunity to present our work to
so many business men and praying motLers.
And last but not least never forget to take
up collection for the state committee, and
present it's claims
| And now In closing would like TO make a
few suggestions First-that more attention
| be given to district conference this year
than there was the past, although the state
committee put all the strength they could
possibly spare in that direction into it, but
what want to get at is, let US strengthen
the committee SO that they may put a man
in the field to look n ter that particular
work. We believe til I at least one man
should devote his entire time to working up
and holding district conference, and let US
remember that while we are young and weak
that HE giveth power to the faint and 10
| them that have no might he increaseth
strength" and "they that wait upon the
Lord shall renew their strength, they shall
| mount up with wings as eagles, they shall
run and not be weary, and they shall walk
and not faint.
Respectfully,
CLARENCE p. STEALEY,
Sec'y Y. N c., Emporia. Kan.
The discussion was opened by g. s. Fisher
as follows
Would you advise holding district confer
ences in the same place from year to year,
Answer-No, sir the convention should be
| held in different portions Of the district,
taking in the first place that is most accessi-
| Bile TO the greatest number Of the people.
Ques-I would like to ask how to proceed
| to obtain local and district conserencesf
Ans,-Correspsnd with the district secre-
tary.
Paper by Il. G. Smead on evangelistic
meetings for young men. Discussion opened
| by Nj Sloan. In the meetings would you
use testimony or the word Of Code
Ans-I think preach the word OF God first.
have been engaged for four years in the
work, and never have given my experiences
| in that time, except in personal cases where
the cases seemed like my own.
Ques.-In a general meeting would you
advise speaking to any one who has not made
requests for prayert
Ans.-Find out If you can all those who are
| unssved and speak TO them, asking s1eir
NAMES, where they live, and If they are
christians
Dues Should the leader selec: the hymns,
Ans think he should, because others
might sslec; songs entirely foreign 70 the
subject.
oues.-Is IT gooi thing to have al in
quiry room
Ans Yes, very helpful
CUES in q general meeting would you
advise speaking Of the love or wrath Of God,
Ans-Well. ny friend, notice a nan